Voitsitska: Akhmetov’s holding in Dnipro threatens the health of hundreds of thousands

10.01.2019

MP Viktoriia Voitsitska has appealed to the State Environmental Inspectorate regarding the check of the Prydniprovia TPP. The reason for the appeal is the fact that Rinat Akhmetov’s DTEK company, which privatized the facility in 2011, is sabotaging the environmental modernization of the said TPP.

Viktoriia Voitsitska notes, “That means that the company is neglecting its privatization obligations and is threatening the health of hundreds of thousands of people. Let me remind you that the Prydniprovia TPP is located in the city of Dnipro and is one of the largest polluters in the region”.

The situation is complicated by the fact that the obsolete equipment of the industrial facility often fails, which results in additional emissions into the air.

As a result, the health of hundreds of thousands of people is at risk. But Akhmetov’s holding does not seem to care. For example, by the end of 2018, an electrostatic precipitator was supposed to be installed at one of the power units. However, judging by the official reports of the company, this has not been done.

“It’s high time for someone to understand that “large business”, “market”, “capitalism” are not only about cheap industrial objects acquired at noncompetitive privatization auctions,” Viktoriia Voitsitska expresses her indignation. “This is not only the possibility of transferring money to offshores, thus avoiding taxation. This is not only the possibility of purchasing unprecedentedly expensive real estate in other countries. This is a social responsibility of the business towards the people with whom and for whom it works, in the first place.

Because, contrary to the assertion of the ancient Roman emperor Vespasian, who imposed a tax on urine, money does smell. You can ask the residents of Dnipro about what DTEK’s super-profits earned at the expense of producing harmful waste smell of.”

The MP underscores that the most important thing is the fact that there are many similar situations in Ukraine. She is convinced, “The time has come to solve these problems.”

As for Prydniprovia TPP, taking into account the appeal of Viktoriia Voitsitska to the relevant authorities, it is now up to the State Environmental Inspectorate and law enforcement officers. The parliamentarian concludes, “I expect punishment of DTEK officials responsible for environmental pollution. The Criminal Code contains relevant articles.”